Because not everybody is a baller especially these days with a fluctuating, erratic economy, there are certainly ways to travel on the cheap and still have a fun and fabulous time! When Red Roof Inn reached out, we were intrigued by the upgrade of the “Plus” feature which is a far cry from your parent’s Red Roof Inn experience.
The difference is wood-style floors, flatscreen TVs, vessel sinks, upgraded towels and spacious workstations and an ergonomic chair. For me at any hotel no matter how fancy, the bed is always a dealbreaker because if you sleep like crap, you’re going to be a cranky beast the next day. Red Roof Inn Plus has Serta mattresses fitted with high-end bedding and comfortable pillows. Normally greeted with a complimentary snack box containing bottled water, orange juice, popcorn, trail mix and two Nature Valley® granola bars, this could change depending on location. Complimentary breakfast is also possibly a wash depending on location because of Covid currently, it’s either non-existent or a brown bag like elementary school. To learn more about the Plus experience, you can visit the website.
Not gonna lie, I was a little concerned going to stay at a Red Roof Inn Plus in the “little Tijuana” section of San Diego, CA aka Chula Vista because it’s so close to the Mexico border. But once I arrived, Sam was very welcoming and put my room right next to his so I felt safe, secure and had a friend nearby if needed. They had just remodeled in April 2020 to only shut down until just recently so everything is fresh and new!
The entrance to Red Roof Inn Plus in Chula Vista, CA.The parking lot was pretty secure at Red Roof Inn Plus in Chula Vista, CA.Sam took great care of me, printed out travel materials for me and fed me snacks too at Red Roof Inn Plus in Chula Vista, CA. They are trying to figure out how to serve the complimentary breakfast safely in the empty lobby for now.The pool at Red Roof Inn Plus which I didn’t get a chance to swim in unfortunately as I was working from hotel during the day.The hot tub looked clear, clean and inviting at Red Roof Inn Plus.
When you work from home (or hotel in this case), you tend to run out of there at quitting time like a bat out of hell wanting to disconnect from anything to do with technology. Lucky me, I was close to the beach in almost every direction for instant detox vibes!
Head over to nearby Hotel del Coronado and enjoy San Diego’s beachfront gem and its glorious architecture.Enjoy the beach, views, a cocktail and tacos too from the boardwalk shack at Coronado Beach!But save room for this mom & pop shop in Coronado Beach, Lobster West!Literally one of the best lobster rolls I’ve ever had with perfectly buttered bun and meaty seafood. This spread was $23 total!The next day after work, I felt like thrifting so went into the Salvation Army right up the street.Some thrift stores will have tag days where it’s half off the marked price so it’s practically free!This space had a whole separate store for home goods but no treasures to be found for me, some fun mugs but my cupboards are overflowing already!Dinner that night was soul food at Pho Ca Dao, it was cool enough especially at night to enjoy some broth and right up the street walkable from Red Roof Inn Plus.The interior was all open doors and chill vibes, people coming in from work and slurping soup seemed to be the thing to do!Filet mignon pho for $10, yes please with my favorite Thai iced tea too really hit the comfort food spot. They later reached out to invite me to a sister restaurant however I took a raincheck for next time!A California food guru Paul’s Food Haul recommended this gem and said it was his favorite. I walked down the street to get my exercise in after work!Cafeteria style lines for each meat type was the protocol at Tacos El Gordo.Slabs of meat ready to be sliced and delivered to hungry patrons awaited at Tacos El Gordo.A $18 tray of food included 2 asada (steak), 2 chorizo (pork) and an Azteca (cactus) taco with horchata to wash it all down at Tacos El Gordo.Third Avenue is popping on the weekends in Chula Vista, CA. Fortunately for me after a rough workday, it was beer-o-clock and not very crowded during the week.Chula Vista Brewery is veteran owned and gives back to the community.Good vibes inside Chula Vista Brewery with great music too!Flights are a low cost and tasty way to taste the flavors at Chula Vista Brewery. They will give you small samples of other brews too!I soon discovered there was a whole row of breweries all within a couple blocks and 3 Punk Ales was calling my name across the street.Anything with an anarchy symbol, I’m down with at 3 Punk Ales.A little list of just some of the flavors at 3 Punk Ales.Outdoor spaces and blocking off the streets is the new norm in California.The lineup… notice no IPAs. But this list slaps!All this outstanding beer for just $11 at 3 Punk Ales! The music selection was sweet too.
Then it was time to simmer down with a beautiful sunset at Bayside Park, a mere one mile from the hotel.
Bayside Park looking gorgeous at night!There’s a small beach at Bayside Park as well.Pretty much everywhere you look in San Diego has beachside beauty!
Before you check out or in depending on your schedule as they are only open Thursday to Sunday or by private appointment, make sure you hit up the Living Coast Discovery Center to learn more about the creatures who live in the Pacific Ocean. Community ran by volunteers, this space is a labor of love and very affordable to some experiences you may never have elsewhere at $10 for adults and $4 for kids!
First you park and then a shuttle takes you to the The Living Coast as its private property.First thing you’ll see is this happy retired sea turtle maybe having lunch at The Living Coast.I wonder what it’s like to eat underwater?Even with a glare on the glass, this sea urchin still looks spiky at The Living Coast.The tentacles of a bat star at The Living Coast.Watching the Moon Jelly is mesmerizing at The Living Coast.I felt a little guilty about eating eel sushi but man, are they creepy at The Living Coast.A seahorse with a few hiding behind his throne at The Living Coast.This fish was hilarious at The Living Coast.There’s a touch section which was super rad at The Living Coast! Ainsleigh makes sure you wash your hands first and allows you to touch a sea cucumber, anemone and starfish which was a sensory delight.Pack a lunch and linger a while if you like at The Living Coast.Get ready to get your hands slimy again at The Living Coast.The large, friendly stingray at The Living Coast may come say hello.These sharks had a whole family… of Baby Shark… Mommy Shark… OK I’ll stop now.Shark eggs that look like spirals were very odd to me at The Living Coast.Leopard shark was giving me the side eye at The Living Coast.Sitting and watching this huge tank of retired fish was relaxing at The Living Coast.The full tiger shark experience at The Living Coast.Make sure to hit up the gift shop for some cute goodies at The Living Coast.There are also trails to walk about and learn outside as well at The Living Coast.A couple of stingrays to end the day at The Living Coast.
*This is a sponsored post and Explorewithcassie.com was paid to promote this hotel.
